Latest news with #SexualAssaultSurvivors'RightsAct
Khaleej Times
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
'Only one who deserved it': How rape survivor became part of all-woman space crew
Users across the world took to social media to express their reactions as an all-woman crew roared to space on one of billionaire Jeff Bezos' rockets. With the crew including pop star Katy Perry and Bezos' fiancee Lauren Sanchez, the flight brought the passengers beyond the Karman line, the internationally recognized boundary of space. The 10-minute flight drew flak from social media users who pointed out the environmental impact of the trip, along with the discrepancy of celebrating women going to space while the needs of women in underprivileged communities, including access to education, sanitary products, remain unfulfilled in many ways. While Katy Perry faced the brunt of criticism, audiences also praised one particular member in the crew. Amanda Nguyen, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, had initially delayed her astronaut dreams to fight for sexual assault survivors' rights. Her advocacy for survivors came in the aftermath of a heinous crime, when she was raped at a frat party during her senior year in 2013. Nguyen was determined to make the law more supportive for survivors, and she bravely put her astronaut dreams on hold for 10 years. Nguyen was a student at Harvard University in pursuit of a career at either Nasa or the CIA. She had been studying astrophysics at the college, had interned at Nasa at 18 years old, and had previously helped the agency develop a Kepler exoplanet-hunting space telescope. She was also a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019. With survivors having to pay for their rape kits which would be destroyed in six months, Nguyen went through a trying time, leading her to recognise the trauma of fellow survivors; she heard multiple stories of courage and survival. Nguyen put all her dreams on hold, and worked on drafting a bill to the Congress. In a landmark decision, the act passed unanimously, and was named the "Sexual Assault Survivors' Rights Act," which entitles survivors to free medical exams, mandates that forensic evidence be kept for at least the statute of limitations on rape, and provides the option of extending that timeline in certain circumstances. According to UK media, the senior counsel from the Senate judiciary suggested calling it Amanda's Law, but Nguyen wanted it to represent all survivors. Now, in 2025, Nguyen stepped off a vessel by Blue Origin, rejoicing as she returned to Earth after a brief journey to space. Having fought for women all her life, placing the push for change above her own dreams, she was "the only one who deserved this trip," multiple social media users commented on Nguyen's page. Some commenters highlighted the lack of awareness about Nguyen's struggle, saying: "I was there was more media coverage on you & why you, specifically, earned your rightful place in visiting space. From 1 SA survivor to another, I'm just very proud of you." However, not all social media users were in praise, with some maintaining that her journey to space should have been for exploration, and "not commercial." Even in space, she continued her fight for survivors' and women's rights. The two zero-G indicators – the object that indicates the start of a gravity-less environment – included a note she'd written to herself promising to return to astronaut dreams, and a hospital band from when she was given a rape kit. Nguyễn, who is also a bioastronautics research scientist, even brought a few in-orbit projects to conduct during the short flight. One of those experiments involves testing material for wound dressing in microgravity; better absorption technology would make it possible for engineers to create space-friendly pads or tampons for women astronauts who menstruate. Nguyen is born to refugee parents who made their way on a boat, using only the stars as guidance. In a touching video, her mom became emotional as she looked at the same skies, years later, to see her daughter breaking both the sound barriers, and the glass ceiling. Watch the video below: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amanda NguyeÌ�Ì�n (@amandangocnguyen) The young astronaut did not forget her roots; once in space, she shared an inspiring message for young Vietnamese girls. "While I may be the first, I am not the last," she said in a video shared on Instagram. Watch it below: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amanda NguyeÌ�Ì�n (@amandangocnguyen)
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Political leaders react to Shaheen not seeking reelection
After serving almost 20 years as one of New Hampshire's two U.S. senators, 78-year-old Democrat Jeanne Shaheen announced Wednesday she will not be running for a fourth term in 2026. 'From the bottom of my heart, thank you New Hampshire,' Sen. Shaheen said in a video posted to social media. Although Shaheen always said her goal was to make a difference for people rather than make history for herself, she ended up doing both. After serving as New Hampshire's first female governor from 1997-2003 and then being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2008, Shaheen became the first woman in United States history to serve as both a state governor and U.S. senator, winning three terms to each role. Some political experts say Shaheen didn't just break down barriers for women by doing that, but also made America a better place for women by championing federal bills like the Sexual Assault Survivors' Rights Act, and expanding the Violence Against Women Act. 'I think she will leave a legacy of making America, making our communities safer for women and protecting women,' said Dr. Nathan Shrader, Associate Professor of Politics at New England College in Henniker. In a blow to Democrats, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen will not seek reelection in New Hampshire Dr. Shrader says Shaheen also leaves a rare legacy of being a centrist, as the Common Ground Committee ranked her one of the ten most bipartisan senators in the country multiple times. Some of the more recent memories of Shaheen voting across the aisle include her joining Republicans in voting for the Laken Riley Act this year, and voting against Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders' proposed $15 dollar minimum wage amendment in 2021. 'She's leaving us, leaving office rather, at a time when we need people who are out of her mold,' Dr. Shrader said. 'Some of these people that took the governing component of this extremely seriously and did it very well for a long time are being … they've been replaced, in many respects, by people who are far more partisan and less institutional than they were.' As far as who might replace Shaheen, Dr. Shrader says many people could get in the running, but some of the early names being tossed around are current Democratic New Hampshire Congressman Chris Pappas, former Republican Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown, and even former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, although he's said previously that he's uninterested in becoming a U.S. senator. If Rep. Pappas were to run for Shaheen's spot, Dr. Shrader says that would also create a race for his U.S. House seat, and that could in turn create more races in the New Hampshire State House if current state representatives and senators were to leave their positions to try replacing Pappas. 'This is where it would get very interesting, very quickly,' Dr. Shrader said. 'There are pockets of Democratic elected officials all through the first district who might say, again, 'Hey, this is an open seat, these don't come up very often, what the heck, I'm going to shoot my shot and this might be my only opportunity.'' People around New Hampshire reacted to Shaheen's announcement throughout the day Wednesday, including her Senate colleague Maggie Hassan, who wrote in part: 'Jeanne Shaheen is a trailblazer who has defined and personified New Hampshire politics – and progress – for decades.' Furthermore, although he hasn't officially announced his candidacy yet, former senator Scott Brown also shared a statement thanking Shaheen for her service, but adding: 'It's time for New Hampshire to have someone in the delegation who stands with, not against, the Trump agenda.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Katy Perry, Lauren Sanchez set to travel to space on Blue Origin rocket
Singer Katy Perry is scheduled to blast off on the next launch of Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket, according to the space company. Former correspondent Lauren Sanchez -- also the fiancee of Bezos -- and TV host Gayle King will also be on the 11th human spaceflight for the company. Sanchez "brought the crew together" to launch on the New Shepard rocket, according to Blue Origin. There is no specific date for the launch, but Blue Origin said it would take place this spring. The six-person crew -- all women -- is rounded out by Amanda Nguyen, Kerianne Flynn and Aisha Bowe. Flynn is a film producer, while Nguyen is a civil rights activist who was instrumental in drafting the Sexual Assault Survivors' Rights Act, which as signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2016. Bowe is a former NASA rocket scientist and an advocate for women and girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Katy Perry, Lauren Sanchez set to travel to space on Blue Origin rocket originally appeared on
